*Kill 8 Persons, Cart Away An Unknown Amount
Dare devil robbers on Friday attacked and robbed three first generation banks in Otukpo, headquarters of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state, killing eight persons in the process.
SATURDAY INDEPENDENT learned that the affected banks may be United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, Plc, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) and Stanbic IBTC.
However, it is being speculated that the robbers may have robbed no fewer than five banks, while unconfirmed sources said the death toll could be as high as ten persons, during the incident that occured at about 4:30pm on Friday.
We further learned that the robbers who came in their numbers were loaded in two hilux vans and a smaller car and were seen heading towards the Otukpo/Taraku, highway after the incident.
Prior to the seige laid on the banks, we gathered that the robbers had attacked the police station in Otukpo town and disarmed the men on duty, before carrying out the robbery operation, which lasted for well over one hour.
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An eye witness told us that 8 persons were killed in the wake of the attack. He explained that three of those that were killed during the incident were policemen and a vigilante. Others who lost their lives were three persons that were killed in Zenith Bank and one in UBA.
It was also stated that a Councilor in the LGA who was transacting business in one of the affected banks may have also been killed.
SATURDAY INDEPENDENT gathered that the incident, which caused no small a stir in the town, sent many scampering for safety and for dear life as the robbers shot sporadically as they embarked on the venture.
Pressed for comments of the robbery, the state Commissioner of Police, Compol, Bartholomew Onyeka who was visibly angry declined comment.
The Commissioner who had stepped out of a Security meeting that lasted for several hours with Governor Hyacinth Alia, rebuked journalists for putting the question through to him.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State command, SP Sewuese Anene pleaded to be given more time to get back to us with more details.
Meanwhile, we gathered that some persons that sustained injuries in the wake of the incident have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Journalists who were at Government house, Makurdi and expected to be briefed at the end of the Security meeting were disappointed as they left without being briefed on what transpired during the meeting. End.
